Edwards defense to ask judge to throw out case

Former presidential candidate and Sen. John Edwards arrives at a federal courthouse in Greensboro, N.C., Tuesday, May 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Defense lawyers for John Edwards will ask a judge Friday to dismiss corruption charges against their client, arguing prosecutors failed to prove the former presidential candidate intentionally violated the law.

Such motions are very rarely successful. But after 14 days of testimony and evidence presented by prosecutors, legal observers in the North Carolina courtroom say the government's case was weak.

Edwards is accused of masterminding a scheme to use nearly $1 million in secret payments from two wealthy donors to help hide his pregnant mistress as he sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.

To prove guilt, prosecutors must show that Edwards not only knew about the money used in the cover-up, which he denies, but also that the former trial lawyer knew he was violating the law.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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